Escondido firefighters raising money for fire victims

ESCONDIDO -- Escondido firefighters are selling T-shirts to
raise money for residents of the city who lost their homes to the
recent wildfires.

The T-shirts, which are sold for $15, feature a Maltese cross
and a design reading "Firestorm San Diego County" across the back.
All proceeds from the sales of the shirts, which were designed and
printed locally, will go directly to victims, Escondido fire
engineer Mike O'Connor said. Firefighters have already raised about
$13,000 to benefit the fire victims, he said.

More than 70 homes were lost in the Escondido Fire Protection
District, O'Connor said.

Firefighters are scheduled to sell the shirts from 10 a.m. to 5
p.m. Sunday in front of Nordstrom's at the Westfield North County
Mall in Escondido. The shirts may also be purchased online at
www.escondidofirefighters.org
.

Firefighters are also looking to contact residents who lost
homes. Those affected may e-mail O'Connor at
firemanmic@aol.com
.